South Africa’s Jaco Peyper will referee the Rugby World Cup 2023 opening match between hosts France and New Zealand at Stade de France on 8 September.
With global excitement building, World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Officials appointments for the 40 matches that comprise the pool stage of what promises to be the sport’s greatest celebration of togetherness.
In May, a team of Emirates Match Officials (12 referees, seven assistant referees and seven Television Match Officials) were selected for the showcase event. The team represents nine nations and has more than 700 test appearances between them. The selection was made on merit.
Peyper is no stranger to opening matches, having refereed the England versus Fiji opener at Rugby World Cup 2015 at Twickenham. He will also use a special whistle presented by adventurer Ron Rutland, who is cycling 21,000 kilometres from Auckland to Paris to deliver the whistle and raise money for ChildFund Rugby.
In other refereeing news, legendary whistleblower Nigel Owens is also set to be at the World Cup as part of ITV’s coverage.
WEEK ONE:
| France v New Zealand Stade de France, Saint-Denis Friday, 8 September, 2023 | Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU) Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU) TMO: Tom Foley (RFU) |
| Italy v Namibia Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne Saturday, 9 September, 2023 | Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU) TMO: Joy Neville (IRFU) |
| Ireland v Romania Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Saturday, 9 September, 2023 | Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR) TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR) |
| Australia v Georgia Stade de France, Saint-Denis Saturday, 9 September, 2023 | Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU) |
| England v Argentina Stade de Marseille, Marseille Saturday, 9 September, 2023 | Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR) TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU) |
| Japan v Chile Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Sunday, 10 September, 2023 | Referee: Nic Berry (RA) Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR) TMO: Tom Foley (RFU) |
| South Africa v Scotland Stade de Marseille, Marseille Sunday, 10 September, 2023 | Referee: Angus Gardner (RA) Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA) TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| Wales v Fiji Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Sunday, 10 September, 2023 | Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU) |